This concert overture recalls the early days of the railways and one of the most famous engines of all time, the Rocket. This was built in 1829 by George Stephenson, performing magnificently in the renowned Rainhill trials, and chugging happily away at around 36 miles per hour on the new Liverpool to Manchester line. The piece depicts the Victorian carnival atmosphere on that extraordinary day at Rainhill, and its romantic elements allude to the inventor's reputation as a bit of a ladies' man! The director of the North Hertfordshire Wind Band, Philip Ellis, is the great-great-great-grandson of George Stephenson - the inspiration for the commission!